Tootin’ my own horn – winning awards at Duveneck Art Show 2017

I don’t participate in a lot of outdoor art shows, but whenever I can, I go to Covington’s sculpture park along the Ohio river for the Duveneck Art Show. It’s usually the day before Mother’s Day.  The people who organize the show are community minded, and love artists. They even treat the artists to a garden party after the show!  How can I resist?

This year, I tried something different: I used Facebook’s ‘Live Video’, to let my friends see what was going on at the show. Because it was live, the video is completely unedited, and un scripted. I had stage fright at first, but it was fun, and it has given me some ideas for future live projects that I can do in my studio. A copy of the video is still on my  facebook profile, so you can click the link below to see how it went.

I won the Duveneck Award! I was really excited about that because the art becomes a part of the Kenton County Public Library’s collection, and is exhibited in one of their libraries. This show and award is in it’s 48th year.  The Duveneck show art collection has never been displayed as a group…until June 4th. The Behringer-Crawford museum is going to have an exhibit of all 48 Duveneck Art Award winners. I’m thrilled to be a part of it!

The winning piece was an ipad drawing of the view from my studio at the Pendleton Art Center. I think it’s interesting because it contrasts downtown Cincinnati’s old historic architecture, with it’s newer towers in the background.

I also won ‘Best in Show’ for my overall body of work. I was embarassed, because it isn’t common for the same artist to win two big awards at the same show. My work isn’t easy to catagorize, and that can be an advantage or penalty, depending on how traditional the judge is. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the recognition (and prize/rent money!)

It was the ‘day of Ken’, because in addition to the two awards, I also won the ‘People’s Choice’ award. Guests at the show were invited to vote for their favorite artist…and it was me and my work! I am thrilled to know that my work is reaching and inspiring others.

Outdoor shows are a lot of work, but it feels more like a day of hanging out with friends-in contrast to a ‘day in the office’…especially when it’s the Duveneck Art Show. Thanks again to everyone who worked hard to make it happen!

I am only doing one more outdoor show this season… it’s Art In The Garden, in Augusta, KY on June 3rd. Don’t miss the fun, I hope to see you then!